It’s now less than three weeks to go until the gender pay reporting deadline of 4 April, when employers with 250 or more employees will have to report on the gender pay gap in their organisation. Over 2,000 employers have already reported on the government’s gender pay portal, as required under the regulations.
We’ve been monitoring the submissions made so far and it’s clear that explaining pay gap data is essential. While the raw figures are vital, the story behind gender pay gap information and employer strategies for taking action are just as important.
This is especially important for recruiters, many of whom have been brought into scope because they have to report on the PAYE agency workers on their payroll. This means that for recruiters who supply temps, their headline pay gap figure will not be a true reflection of the pay of their workforce. This could be potentially misleading for clients, candidates and others who may view recruiters’ pay gap information on the government portal.
That’s why we have been encouraging recruiters to include a narrative on their websites to explain anomalies such as this and strategies for action, as recommended in the regulations.
What to include in the narrative
This narrative is an opportunity for recruiters to give some context to the figures they have submitted. Current and new employees, candidates, clients and other stakeholders will be able to view recruiters’ pay gaps online. It’s important therefore that context is given to the data so that it properly reflects organisational values and brand. Don’t worry if you have already submitted your pay gap information - it’s possible to log back in to the government portal to add this narrative at any time.
When drafting a narrative, recruiters should consider:
We’ll be continuing to offer advice to members through our gender pay gap reporting FAQs section on our legal guide which includes answers to key recruitment-specific questions. Members can also listen to the webinar we hosted with the GEO.
At our next Inclusive Recruitment Forum on 17 April, we’ll be joined by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to discuss the steps recruiters can take to reduce the gender pay gap and use the data to inform clients. To register your attendance, visit our events pages.
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